Lighter valve unit



May 26, 1953 P. ,I. HOLLMAN 2,639,755

I LIGHTER VALVE UNIT Filed May 26, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

WM M

y 1953 v P. I, HOLLMAN 2,639,765

' LIGHTER VALVE UNIT Filed May 26, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 IN VEN TOR.

Paw J.

Httys.

May 26, 1953 P. i-IOLLMAN 2,639,765

LIGHTER VALVE UNIT Filed May 26, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet s I Mil Ai e May 26, 1953 P. HOLLMAN LIGHTER VALVE UNIT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 26 1950 INVENTOR.

dig/s Patented May 26, 1953 Peter I. Hellman, Rockford, 'Ill.,' assignor to Geo.

D. Roper Corporation, Rockford, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 26, 1950, Serial No. 164,478

1 This invention relates to a lighter valve unit for lighting the oven burner on a gas stove.

An object of this invention is the provision of a lighter unit of the above character that is simple in construction, that provides for maximum efiiciency and that is relatively inexpensive to produce.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a novel lighter unit which includes a safety valve and a pilot burner rigidly mounted in a unitary assembly, a thermalstrip arranged to respond to heat from the pilot burner, a stand-by pilot burner and control valve therefor, and operative connections between the thermal strip and the safety valve and the pilot burner valve so that the operation of these valves is responsive to the thermal strip.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- I I Figure l is a perspective view of an oven lighting system utilizing a lighter valve unit embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the lighter valve unit;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2 with portions cut away to show details of construction; r

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 and showing the safety valve in its open position;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modification of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of another modification of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; i

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the safety valve in-its open position;

Fig. 12 is a view showing the details of construction of the mechanism for actuating the safety valve; and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the thermally responsive mechanism for operating the safety valve. 7

Referring now to the drawings the invention is shown embodied in a lighter valve unit adapted for use in a lighting system wherein a remotely located oven or main: burner 2| islighted froma 1 11 Claims. (01. 158-433) constantly burning pilot burner 22 mounted on the top of the: range and used for igniting the cooking burners on top of the range.

For purposes ofbetter understanding the lighter --valve unit a brief description of a system with which it may be used will be first described. As shown in Figure '1 this system includes a gas supply manifold23, the .burner2l, the lighter unit mounted adjacent the main burner 2 I, flash-back means 26 disposed. between the constantly burning pilot burner 22 and the lighter unit for flash-.- ing flame from the former to the latter and a temperature control and shut-off valve unit 21 for-controlling and. regulating the flow of gas fromthe manifold 23 to the main burner 2|. The main burner 2! is connected to the manifold 23 througha mixing tube 28, a conduit 29, having mounting flanges 32 for attaching the conduit to the side wall of an oven, not shown, the lighter valve unit, and a conduit 33 in communication withv the temperature control unit 21 mounted on the manifold 23 to be in communication therewith..

. The temperature control unit 21 maybe of any conventionalconstruction. The unit, as shown for purposes of illustration, is of the type disclsoed in U. S. Patent 2,303,011 issued November 21, 1942,. to whichreference may be had for a more detailed description of its construction and mode-of operation. In general the unit 21 includes mechanism operable in response to changes in temperatures on a bulb .36 mounted in the oven and-connectedto the unit 21 by a capillar tube 31. A control knob 38 is associated with the unit 21 to extend through the gas manifold cover plate, not shown, to be accessible from the front of the range. The knob 38 controls the opening and closingof the shut-off valve in the unit 21 and forpositioning the parts of the control mechanism in the unit to effect a preselected temperature. in the oven. Normally .the knob 38 is biased outwardly from the cover plate so that the knob must be depressed before it is free to rotate. When the knob 38 is rotated and set for a preselected temperature in the oven, the mechanism in the unit 2'? is positioned so that gas is permitted to flow throughconduits 33 and 39 to means includes an oven pilot burner facing away fromthe safety valve, formed by aport 44 in a nozzle 45 mounted at one end of a boss 46 on a 3 support arm 4''! rigid with and extending outwardly from the safety valve 42. The arm 41 is arranged so that the nozzle 45 is adjacent to or in lighting proximity to the main burner 2I On the opposite end of the boss 46 is a port 410. facing the safety valve 42. On the side of the boss 46 away from the support arm is a plurality of ports W'Bfiaritl Tf'a Harrie-transmitting slotifi tween the elts 4a and "the port 4*4. The sbrt's 44, 41a and 48 are in communication with a passageway 49a formed in the support arm 4''! F150 that when gas issues from the ports 44, 41a and 48 and is ignited the ports in effect defiii'e'rsp'ctively an ignition pilot burrfrfor lijghftingfthe main burner M, a pilot burner fiir -llghti'iig the pilot burners 44 and 48, and an actuating pilot burner. The opposite end of thepas sageway 49a is in communication with a horizontal pas g eway 5| (see Fig. l) leading to a vertical passage- Way 52 formed in the safety valve.

While "any "suitablefsafety valve maIY rbejused, in this embodiment of the j invention it includes a casing 56 'fixedlyfmmmted --on {the am :41 fiend hasan 'i'nletport '51 :"adapted to be connected to tlie gas "supply 'line"%-3 and an 'outlet-iportyzfilB strip 12 and the lever 61. The pin I8 is eccentrically mounted on a rotatable base I9, suitably secured to the flange TI so that the position of the pin II relative to the flange may be readily adjusted. While heating of the thermal strip by the actuating pilot burner 48 causes distortion of the thermostatic strip to open the safety valve through 'th'ele'vens 61 gandft'l, i-tgis -tbrlm understooli also that when the actuating'pildt burner 48 is extinguished that the thermostatic strip I2 c'liols and tends to assume its original position.

In .sodoing the lever 61 is moved to its initial Yptsthe .ballfrombcoming displaced.

'aiiap'tedtdbe c'onhectedto the-zconduitfls leadine H toth'ernain burner z I Thein'let *yport 51 in athe casing -56 is "in communication with 'a'figfherally 'vert'ically'eiitending' passagewayi59 formed onthe right hand side of the -casing -56,;fas shown-in Fig. 4 and'tenninates in a cha'rnberli l-jforrhedin the *upperi-entrabportion of :the "casing, The

outletmort' "58 is in "communication with a 'vertically'extending 'passageway 62" disposedpentrally 'ofthe casing and is also in "communication with the chamber '6I. Thelan'ds adjacent tlie passageway 62 on the interior of the casing 'form a valve'seatt l. A :ball' or valve element fit is' dispd'se'd inthe chamber 8 I" and is" movable between 'a"position in which it seats'on the seatl'fiw -to"=prevent'the flowof gas 'between'the inlet" and outlet ports i 51 and 58 *andan open? position ini which the gas is free to flow between the inlet and 'oiltlet ports. The ball is normally bia:sed to its closed position by' 'theeffect-of gravity. Where desired 'sprir-ig"means* or the like may '"be used "to "normally" urge the ball to s'ea'ten tlie-yalve s'eat. Int-this 'Jembodiment"of"the"invention 'af'lever G1 is utilized tomove 'the valve element 66 lietween its open *and"closedjpositions. The 'l'ever G connected atone-end to ashaftBB' '(sie' Fig '5- 'and ].3) wl'fioh pldjcts" through the basin "of'the safety valve. The opposite or oiiterer'id posed a: "'acent' the-pilot burner w so tl iat wlien it 'isl" glited "thefflame therefrom" is arrest against the thermal'stripfi it to rt andthereby'movethelever 1 I' ancl i'zrl'iiirn nseat the ball' 'fifi. As shown" the thellhal -strip a-- generally "channel or U sliaped' cross "and" is in substantially parallel rela While anysuitableffiash system may be used. for purpos'es of illustrating the invention the hash system includes: a horizontally disposed :tubeflBB in communication with andsupported by ah'ousing 81 encircling the pilot burner-21a vertically disposed tubular portion 88 connected .to ithe opposite "end of. the horizontal tube, fill-a isubfb ur nerjfl anda 'flash tube flI between the sub-burner 83 3 and thegpilot burner lla. Gas is inorrn'allyfupplied to -the;sub-burner fi ]from the manifold zq-througlr thecoriduit 33, a sub-burner valve -9 2 {-and; a conduit-93 connected to the sub- :burner 89. The-sub burner and its operation is rib d m r lfii l um-myc rn i ation, Serial No. 105,545, fil douly 19,}1-9'49, .to which reference may be had for complete de- =taiis-of construction-andoperation ilnthis embodiment fof the-invention the sub-burner valve I is mounteddirectly onxtop of-thesafety-valve. v AS-bestseen-in FigS 4 -and 5- the valve-includes a sleeve -9I threaded i-nto an opening for-med in the bushing 83. The sleeve 9l'-is-=formedwith-a generally'vertieally extending-passageway SB and j a transaxial passageway 99 intermediate its ends win 'comm-ur ieation with the -axially extending passageway 98; An;annular-or ring member ID I encircles the sleeve 9'! and is supported-atone end byaspacer I ll 2;--threadablymounted on -.the sleeve and at its oppositeend by---a combined 1 spacerand cap member I 03.

i'ber IllI, the spacers I il2-and -I-il3-and the sleeve The ring mem- 91"'definei-ani annular passageway I I141 encircling the sleeve and in communication withthe-pas- I "-sag'eway-99 in thesleeve *The'annular passageway I04 is arranged to befincommunication with :t-lierconduit 93%leading-to-the sub-burner 89 (see Figure 1). A reciprocable member or plunger I plunger through the passageway-"98. 'At'its low- -rer end the plunger --I08-is provided witlr head I08 and a tapered portion I09-at the lower end of the plun'ger connects' ithe head I818 -vvith the 'gplunger ms. lhelowerendof the sleeve 9l-is formed with a valve seat III against-whichwthe '-=tapered-portion IDS-is. shaped to seat. Normally the' :plungei I06 is-positioned so that thetaperecl portion I09 is out of engagement with-the-seat =;:'I'I I asrshown Fig. 4. In'this position 'of= the l parts; rgas flowing iritO- the :s'afety' valve: through it-hepassagewawM'; the chamberli I? flows through f; ane esssageway QBp'thetransaxials'passageway 99, the annular passageway I04 to the conduit 93 leading to the sub-burner. Seating of the tapered portion I09 on the seat III in the present instance is effected by upward movement of the ball 66. To this end a coil spring H2 is disposed between the lower end of the plunger I06 and the'ball 66, to form a, driving connection therebetween. The spring is of such length that in its normal position it rests on'the top of the ball 66 as shown in Fig. 4 and the plunger I06 rests on the upper end of the spring I I2 in a position so that the tapered portion I09 is away from the seat I I I. The spring in addition to providing a driving connection between the ball 66 and the plunger I06 also provides a lost motion or overtravel connection between the ball 66 and the plunger I06 in the event of misalignment of parts Or the like.

The lighter unit also includes an auxiliary or stand-by pilot burner means I2 I. As shown, the latter is formed at one end'of a tube I22 in substantial parallel relation to the housing 16. At its outer end the tube curves in toward the direction of the pilot burner '44 to be adjacent the burner 2! as shown in Figure 1. At its opposite end the tube is connected to a valve I23 which in turn is connected to the gas supply manifold through the conduit I24.

The valve I23 is supported on the housing 16 by a bracket I26 secured thereto as by screws I21. For adjustment purposes at least one of the screw holes in the bracket I26 may be in the form of an elongated slot so that the position of the valve relative to the housing may be varied. One end of the casing of the valve I23 is of a reduced cross sectional area to define a shoulder I28 and. is threaded. The reduced portion extends through an opening I29 in the bracket I26 and a nut I3I on the opposite side of the bracket to the valve I23 secures the latter to the bracket. The valve casing is formed with an axially extending chamber I32 and one end of the casing is provided with a passageway I33 in communication with the chamber I32. The passageway I33 is of somewhat smaller cross sectional area than the chamber I32 and thereby defines a valve seat I34 at one end of the chamber I32. A ball or valve element I33 is disposed within the chamber I32 and is movable between a position in which it seats on the seat I34 to close communication between the passageway and the chamber and a position in which the ball I36 is away from the seat I34 so as to permit communication between the passageway I33 and the chamber I32. A spring I31 is disposed between an end of the chamber I32 defined by a fitting I38 and the ball 136 to normally urge the ball into engagement with the valve seat I34 or its closed position. As shown the passageway I33 is in communication with the tubular member I22. The fitting or bushing I38 is formed with an axially extending passageway I39 in communication with the chamber I32. The conduit I24 is connected to the bushing I38 by a suitable coupling member The opening and closing of the valve is controlled by a gland pin I43 actuated by the thermal strip 12. Thus as shown in Fig. 3 the gland pin I43 extends through the valve casing or body and through an opening I44 in the bridging member 14 so that its end abuts against the side of the thermal strip. The opposite end of the' pin or plunger I43 abuts against the ball I36. With this arrangement it will be seen that upon distortion of-the thermal strip the pin I43 is moved so as to move the ball I36 away from the seat I34. Also it will beseen that upon cooling of the thermal strip the spring I31 acts to seat the ball I36 through the pin I43. A col1ar'I46 mounted on the gland pin intermediate its ends is engageable with the end 'wall of the valve casing in which the passageway I33 is formed to prevent accidental withdrawal of the gland pin I43 from the valve casing.

v "The operation of the lighter unit in a system as shown in Figure 1 is as follows. It is assumed that the constantly burning pilot burner 22 is lighted and the main burner 2I, the pilot burners 44, 41a, 48 and I2I, and the sub-burner 89 are unlighted. The temperature control unit. is in its off position and the safety valve 42 is closed. To light the burner 2| the operator of the range depresses the control knob 38 and positions the temperature control unit for a preselected cooking temperature in the oven and permits gas to flow from the gas manifold 23' to the conduit 33to the inlet port 51 of the safety valve 42. Theball '66 however is in its closed position and gas cannot flow to the burner 2I. The tapered portion I09 on the plunger I06 of the sub-burner valve is away from the seat III so that the valve is in its open position as shown in Fig. 4 and gas is free to flow from the chamber '6I in the casing 56 through the passageway 9B, the transaxial passageway 99, the annular passageway I04, the conduit 93 to the sub-burner. Concurrently with this flow of gas, gas also flows from the temperature control unit 21 through the conduit 39, through the passageways 52 and 5| in the casing '56, the passageway 49a in the support arm 41 to the pilot burner 41a, the pilot burner 48, and the pilot burner 44. Gas flowing from the pilot burner 41a flows through the tube 9|, to the sub-burner 89. This gas together with the mixture flowing directly to the sub-burner 89 flows up through the tubular portion 88 and the tubular portion 86. When gas issues from the tube 86 into the housing 81, the gas ignites and flame flashes back to the sub-burner 89 and to the pilot burner 41a. After the lighting of the pilot burner 41a, flame is flashed to the actuating pilot burner 48 and in turn the pilot burner 44. The flame of the actuating pilot burner 48 is directed against one side of the thermostrip 12 so that the heat of the flame causes distortion of the strip 12. Upon heating the strip 12 moves in a' counterclockwise direction of rotation about its riveted end as seen in Fig. 3. This movement of the strip causes the lever H to be moved to rotate the shaft 68 and in turn the lever 61. Rotation of the lever '61 unseats the ball as shown in Fig. 5. With the ball 66 in this position gas flows from the chamber 6i. in the safety valve 42 through the passageway 58 to the main burner 2| and is ignited by the pilot burner 44.

Concurrently with the unseating of the ball way 98 so that the flow of gas to the sub-burner 4 89 is stopped. During the movement of the thermal strip 12 it also engages the pin I43 of the valve I23 and forces the ball I36 away from.

the seat I34. Under these conditions gas flows directly from the manifold 23 through the conduit I24 through the valve I23, the conduit I22: tothe pilot burner-12L The-latter isi lighted.

Mne in awnv holds the bell away" c ro @91 4 selected tempera 'e ation h l eemplete eyele M before includjfigfh w qn te f fa tween the upstanding sides of-the=thermalstrip I51.

This lighter unit operates in as that described hereinbefore for the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-5.

In Figs. 8-12 there is shown another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is quite similar to the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and '7 and includes a body 2| 1, a safety valve 2 l2 at one end of the body, a pilot burner means in-' cluding a main pilot burner 2|3, an actuating pilot-burner 2M and a stand-by pilot burner 224 adapted to be connected to the main burner.

A ball valve 226 shaped to seat ona land 22'! around the inner end of the outlet passageway 224 forms the valve element. Access to the chamber 222 and the ball 226 may be had through an opening 228 receiving a plug 229 overlying the upper end of the passageway 224. The casing is also provided with a passageway 232 adapted to be in communication with the passageway 233 in the support arm 2 l9 leading to the pilot burner means. Movement of the ball'226 is controlled by a lever 234 mounted on a shaft 236 supported on the casing and the thermal strip 2 i1 is interconnected with the shaft to rotate the latter in the same manner 10 as by welding. Disposed within the body is a passageway 214 for receiving a fitting 216 having H a chamber 211. At its inner end the fitting is formed with an opening 218 in communication with the passageway 214. A ball element 219 forms a valve and is shaped to seat on a valve seat 28l formed at one end of the chamber.

' A spring 283 acts between a bushing 284 disposed in the fitting 216 and the ball to normally urge the ball to its seated position as shown. A gland pin 286 extending through a snug'fitting opening 28'! in the end of the valve body 212 is shaped I to engage the side of the thermal strip 2 l1 and is responsive to movement of the thermal strip 212. 7

As best seen in Fig. 9with this construction the sub-burner control valve 24! and the standby pilot burner valve 242 are disposed on opposite sides and laterally of the thermal strip 2 [1. With this construction the thermal strip effects simultaneous control movements of the stand-by pilot burner valve and the sub-burner valve and also the thermal strip is directly connected to the respective valves and thereby assures a positive driving action of the'valve elements. The relative position of the valves 2 and 242 may the manner described for the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-5. y

In this embodiment of the invention the subburner control valve 24! is located on one side of the body 2 and the stand-by pilot burner control valve 242 is located on the opposite side to be laterally of the thermal strip 2l1. As shown, the sub-burner valve 24! includes a Y- shaped body 243 having its stem portion cast integral with the arm 2 [9. One of the arms 244 of the Y-shaped body is atan angle to the stem and is cored for receiving a fitting 246 adapted to beconnected to a conduit 24! leading to a gas supply. The other arm 248 projects out wardly from the stem 2 IS in alignment with the stem portion of the body and is formedwith a passageway 249' cored to receive a fitting 25l. As shown the fitting 25! is formed with a central passageway 252. At one end of the fitting the latter is formed withan aperture 253 effecting communication between the passageway 245 and the chamber 252. The chamber. 249-is= also adapted to be in communication with the conduit 241. A ball valve 254 in the chamber 252 is adapted to seat against the seat 256 to prevent the flow of fluid from the inlet passageway to an outlet passageway formed in the fitting 25!. A spring 251 acts between the ball and a bushing 258 in the outer end of passageway 249 to urge the valve to its normally seated position. A gland pin 259 acts between the thermal strip and the ball to transmit movement of the thermal strip to the ball. As shown in Fig. 9 thegland pin 259 extends through a snug fitting aperture 26I formed in a member 262 extending transversely of the gas passageway 2.33 in the support arm 2l9 so that the aperture 261 is sealed or out of communication with the gas passageway233;

The stand-by valve 242 includes a body 212 secured to a bridging portign 213 Of the housin also be adjusted where desired for alignment purposes.

While in the foregoing description and in the accompanying drawings there have been dis closed three preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that various modifications, omissions and refinements which depart from the specific illustrated embodiments of the invention may be adopted without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

I claim:

In a lighter unit the combination of a safety valve having an open and a normally closed position, first pilot burner means, means rigidly intel-connecting the safety valve and the first pilot burner means and having a passageway for effe'cting comm-unication between the pilot burner means and a fuel supply, a thermal strip positioned to be heated by said first pilot burner means, means acting between said safety valve and said thermal strip operable to move the safety valve to 'itsopen position when the strip is heated to a preselected temperature, a subburner valve having a normally open and a closed position andarranged to control the flow of fuel to a sub-burner, means acting between said subburner valve and the thermal strip operative to move the sub-burner'vailve to its closed position when the strip is heated to a preselected temperature, 'a stand-by pilot burner adjacent the first pilot burner means, stand-by pilot burner valve means arranged to control the flow of fuel to said stand-bypilot burnerand having an open and a normally closed position, and means acting between said thermal strip and said stand-by V pilot burner valve means for moving said standbypilot burner valve means to its open position when the saidthermal strip is heated to a preselected temperature.

2. In a lighterunit the combination of a body, a first pilot burner mounted at one end. of said body, a safety valve mounted at the opposite end ofsaid body and normally biased to a closed posi- 'tion, a sub-burnervalve mounted on said body having an open and av closed position, means acting between the safety valve and the sub- 'sub biirnei valve 1391 1 17 saf ty valvefli it's 1 b in .form' 'ds. w th w throu h he h si e'fiec fiw ens sa supp jan s ime, a n -b fnilotmb r r bqd c nd m [i ns In' c, sasm p-ly, to sai ,s W12. fne ans cbnhectd in said 60nd h vin ranp e an lo es si 'e'ijt d ne side of said Igody d by f'sajid first piloj; burns? bf 'tw sgi'd s'afety valve p d zibIe to" move the 5 ans fr nduntmg' sa'id sub-bii'r'ner 25 y agy onpn it} 'of "aid bbdy, means 'a'cfnirig be; twsei i sifi Sii u! er valve ifid the thermal siirifi bio rtiige tb di'z iili'e sulqpiirner v'a'glve t' o n' izvfjn' the strip is heated to a erat'a'fre; a Sj nd-by rjilo't bums-1 sc 101161; mime: stand-by arranged to comm the mm strip is heait'd to a preselected tamimmature.

1-58 rid ariii ah ma interconnecting the safety valve and first pilot burner means, said arm having a passageway in communication with the first pilot burner means and adapted to be connected to a fuel supply line, a thermal strip mounted on said body at one side of said arm arranged to be heated by said first pilot burner means, sub-burner valve means mounted on said body to be disposed laterally of said thermal strip, said sub-burner valve means having a closed and an open position, a gland pin for actuating said sub-burner valve means extending through said arm to engage one side of said thermal strip and operative to effect movement of said sub-burner valve means to a closed position when the thermal strip is heated, means in said passageway encircling said gland pin to seal the passageway from atmosphere, a stand-by pilot burner, stand-by pilot burner valve means mounted on the opposite side of said body to be disposed laterally of said thermal strip at the side thereof opposite said subburner valve means, said stand-by pilot burner valve means arranged to control the flow of fuel to the stand-by pilot burner and having an open and a normally closed position, a gland pin for actuating said stand-by pilot burner valve means extending through said arm to engage said opposite side of the thermal strip and operative to effect movement of said stand-by pilot burner valve means to its open position when said thermal strip is heated to a preselected temperature.

8. In a lighter unit, the combination of a body having a safety valve at one end, said body having an inlet and outlet ports associated with said safety valve for connecting the safety valve in a line between a fuel supply and a main burner, said body having first pilot burner means mounted at the opposite end and an arm for interconnecting the safety valve and first pilot burner means, said arm having a passageway in communication with the first pilot burner means and adapted to be connected to a fuel supply line, a thermal strip mounted on said body at one side of said arm arranged to be heated by said first pilot burner means, sub-burner valve means mounted on said body on one side of said thermal strip, said sub-burner valve means having a closed and an open position, second pilot burner means, auxiliary valve means arranged to control the flow of fuel to said second pilot burner means mounted on said body to be on the opposite side of said thermal strip, said auxiliary valve means having an open and a normally closed position, and means acting between said thermal strip and said sub-burner valve means and said auxiliary valve means to move said sub-burner valve means to its closed position and said auxiliary valve means to its open position when said thermal strip is heated to a preselected temperature.

9. In a lighter unit, the combination of a body having a safety valve at one end and first pilot burner means mounted at the opposite end, said body having an arm interconnecting the safety valve and first pilot burner means, said arm having a passageway in communication with the first pilot burner means and adapted to be connected to a fuel supply line, a thermal strip mounted on said body at one side of said arm arranged to be heated by said first pilot burner means, sub-burner valve means mounted on said body to be disposed laterally of one side of said thermal strip, said sub-burner valve means having a closed and an open position, second pilot burner means, auxiliary valve means arranged to control the flow of fuel to said second pilot burner means mounted on said body to be disposed laterally of the opposite side of said thermal strip, said auxiliary valve means having an open and a closed position, and means acting between said thermal strip and said sub-burner valve means and between said auxiliary valve means and said thermal strip to move said sub-burner valve means to its closed position and said auxiliary valve means to its open position when said thermal stri is heated to a preselected temperature.

10. A lighter unit as set forth in claim 4 in which the sub-burner valve and the stand-by pilot burner valve means are in substantially coaxial relation one with respect to the other.

11. A lighter unit as set forth in claim 4 in which the sub-burner valve and the stand-by pilot burner valve means each includes a valve member normally spring pressed toward closed position and a gland member movable axially for moving its respective valve member to open position, and in which the gland members are in substantially coaxial relation one with respect to the other.

PETER I. HOLLlVIAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,995,846 Gauger Mar. 26', 1935 2,443,892 Caparone June 22, 1948 2,490,729 Craver June 29, 1949 2,487,963 Cerny Nov. 15, 1949 2,510,264 Strobel June 6, 1950 2,513,578 Matthews July 4, 1950 2,557,927 Abrams et a1 June 26, 1951 

